UPDATE: The Bendigo Spirit has just announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Victorian Government to bring elite women’s basketball to regional Victoria. This urgent initiative, supported by the Significant Sporting Events Program, will host a series of high-profile matches and community events over the next two WNBL seasons, starting in November 2025.
This partnership marks a significant step in promoting women’s sports and enhancing community engagement in underserved areas. The Spirit will hold multiple events across regions including Traralgon, Ballarat, and Geelong, along with past pre-season games already executed in Warrnambool and Shepparton. These efforts aim to boost basketball participation, celebrate diversity, and strengthen community ties, while also showcasing regional Victoria as a premier sports tourism destination.
CEO of Sports Entertainment Network, Craig Hutchison, emphasized the transformative nature of this partnership. “This partnership is a game-changer for women’s sport and regional communities,” he stated. “We’re proud to work with the Victorian Government to bring elite basketball to new audiences, tell the stories of our incredible athletes, and inspire the next generation of players and fans across the state.”
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the initiative’s impact on local communities: “Thanks to the Significant Sporting Events Program, people all over regional Victoria will have the chance to enjoy elite basketball. Showcasing women’s basketball and beautiful parts of our state means backing the future of women’s sports in Victoria, while also supporting local tourism, jobs, and businesses.”
As part of this landmark agreement, the Spirit will implement a comprehensive community engagement program in each host city. This will include open training sessions, school visits, coaching clinics, junior development programs, and business networking events. The Spirit has already conducted successful pre-season matches where players and coaches engaged with local communities through various clinics.
Fans can look forward to the following key fixtures in the 2025-26 season:
– **TRARALGON**: Round 6 vs. Perth Lynx on Sunday, November 23.
– **BALLARAT**:
– Round 8 vs. Geelong Venom on Friday, December 5.
– Round 13 vs. Southside Melbourne Flyers on Friday, January 9.
– **GEELONG**:
– Round 9 vs. Geelong Venom on Saturday, December 13.
– Round 13 vs. Geelong Venom on Friday, January 30.
All matches will be broadcast nationally via 9Now, ESPN, and Disney+, ensuring widespread access and engagement. Additionally, SEN’s television production arm, Rainmaker, will produce supplementary content to amplify the reach and impact of these events.
As excitement builds, the Spirit’s partnership with the Victorian Government is set to redefine women’s basketball in regional Victoria, fostering a new generation of players and fans while reinforcing the importance of community and inclusivity in sports. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story and the upcoming basketball season.
